Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against the United States government seeking refunds for tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. The case, filed by Nintendo’s U.S. subsidiary in the U.S. Court of International Trade, argues that the company was forced to pay import duties that were later ruled unlawful.
The lawsuit comes after a major court decision earlier this year determined that the tariffs had been imposed using legal authority that did not actually permit such taxes. While the ruling invalidated the duties, it didn’t clearly explain how companies that had already paid them would get their money back. Nintendo is now asking the court to order a full refund, that too, with interest.
Why Nintendo says the tariffs hurt its business
The tariffs were introduced during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law normally used to regulate economic activity during national emergencies. However, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in February 2026 that the statute does not grant the president authority to impose tariffs.
Nintendo argues the policy had real business consequences. The company said the tariffs disrupted the rollout of its Nintendo Switch 2, forcing it to delay U.S. preorders while it evaluated how the added import costs might affect pricing. Even after preorders resumed, the company raised prices on several accessories and older hardware models due to the shifting trade environment. The company manufactures most of its hardware in Asia, particularly in China and Vietnam, which were heavily affected by the tariff measures.
Nintendo’s case is also part of a broader wave of legal action. Multiple companies across industries, from shipping and automotive firms to electronics manufacturers, have filed similar lawsuits seeking refunds for tariffs collected during that period. For now, the courts will decide whether companies like Nintendo are entitled to those refunds.
